Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Satan's real but reigned-in power

Calvin's Institutes
Book 1 - Knowledge of God the Creator
Chapter 14 - Even in Creation Scripture distinguishes the True God from false gods
Sections 13-19 - The devils in the purposes of God
Section 18 - Assurance of victory!
Devils fight us but won't defeat believers.
Eph 4:27; 2 Cor 12:7; 2 Sam 24:1; 2 Tim 2:25-26
Jesus' victory ensures this; as His Kingdom grows, Satan's shrinks.
Gen 3:15; Rom 16:20; John 14:30; Luke 10:18; 11:21-22; Heb 2:14.
God gives unbelievers over to Satan's sway.
2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8-10.

Section 19 - Devils are not thoughts, but actualities
These verses would make no sense if devils weren't real beings:
Jude 6, 9; Matt 12:43; Job 1:6; 2:1; Matt 8:29; 25:41; 2 Pet 2:4.

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